NMC #22 (BLIND GUARDIAN, THERION, STAR ONE)

[Jon]

by "in a European metal mood" Jon

 

 

 

Blind Guardian - At The Edge Of Time (August 2010)

 

 

1. Sacred Worlds

2. Valkyries

3. Control The Divine

4. War Of The Thrones

5. Wheel Of Time

 

European power-metal from a group that's been around well over 20 years. Maybe a bit over the top, but that's kind of what you should expect from these guys. The vocalist takes a little getting used to but the musicianship is superb. 

 

 

Therion - Sitra Ahra (October 2010)  

 

 

1. Introduction/Sitra Ahra

2. Land Of Canaan

3. 2012

4. Kali Yuga III

5. The Shells Are Open

 

So far I cannot get into this whole album. It starts of great with the first track, but the rest seems to be a letdown, not what I was expecting. "Land Of Canaan" is starting to grow on me after a few listens, but the rest? Maybe a few more listens and I'll "get it".

 

 

Star One - Victims Of The Modern Age (October 2010)

 

 

1. Digital Rain

2. Earth That Was

3. Victim Of The Modern Age

4. 24 Hours

5. It's Alive, She's Alive, We're Alive

 

Saved the best for last! The latest from Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon, Ambeon, Guilt Machine), this is the second Star One album. It was tough to pick five trackssince there's not one bad song on the album. And it's so good that I went ahead and bought the import version as well. Classified as "space-metal" all songs have a sci-fi theme. Heck, there's songs about "Planet Of The Apes" and "Firefly"/"Serenity" on this opus. And the geetar...man, the geetar. This album has and continues to blow my mind.      

 

 

You can take a listen to these HERE

 

[RJhog (Admin)]

Blind Guardian (Thumbs Even)

I had very little hope for this based on Jon's description. I'm a big vocals person (as some of you probably know), so I thought this was gonna be hard to listen to. But it wasn't. I'm not saying it's great, but it's not bad. I wouldn't purchase, but I could certainly listen to it.

Therion (Thumbs Slightly Down)

Therion's second sighting on CRB if I recall correctly. These vocals I don't like, but musically it's okay. Again, I wouldn't purchase, but it's not awful. I would rate it below Blind Guardian.

Star One (Thumbs Slightly Up)

I agree with Jon's overall assessment that this is the best of the three posted. The vocals are much better. Although I probably won't purchase it, it's close.

I think, for the most part, I'm just not a European Metal person. But I do like certain elements of it. Another great post for the NMC.

[TageRyche]

Is Earth That Was the only Firefly/Serenity song on the Star One CD?

[Jon]

Yes. The rest are from the following;

Alice In Wonderland
A Clockwork Orange
The Matrix
Blade Runner
Escape From New York
Planet Of The Apes
12 Monkeys
Children Of Men

[Scott]

by "in a You're A Peein' mood" Scott

BLIND GUARDIAN... Thumbs slightly leaning Down
I gotta say that when Sacred Worlds started, I got a clear mental picture of Wile E Coyote being chased by one of his own heat seeking ACME bombs. Hey wait a minute! What is this? Classical? Metal? Melodic? Symphonic? Mid Evil? Progressive? Oh wait, European, I almost forgot. Sorry my bad! I feel the Master Thespian coming out in me! Maybe this review is a bit dramatic, but I don't care! Hear me world, I don't care!! I am screaming European Metal from the rooftops and loving it. Sorry, got lost in a moment. Let me tie this up and put a bow on it... Not terrible, but definitely not my cup o' tea.

THERION... Thumbs fully down
That opening vocal gave me goosebumps, not ones that come when you hear something really great for the first time, no, not these, these were more like fingernails on a chalkboard. I didn't get this band at all. But I don't think that would surprise anyone, as my musical mind is far to narrow to allow such wonderful things as Therion in. To quote the two fat ladies, "how unfortunate" - I gotta go thumbs down on this one...

Why do I feel like I need a cup of tea?

STAR ONE... Thumbs at 45 degree's up
I liked this actually. Are you shocked? Not purchase material after one listen, but I liked the geetars as you noted, and liked the themes. Heck, I even put on a Manchester United jersey, grabbed a pint, and started to toast... well... ok, no ones here to toast with but I totally would have if there was! I really did enjoy the synth/organ interplays as well.

You've changed my mood, now I'm in the more proper "European Metal" mood! Thanks Jon! Great post!

[Jon]

Crap, you're drunk aren't you?

[Scott]

hahahaha.. No, just a poor attempt at an English attitude and humor...

[Niels (Mod)]

Blind Guardian - Thumbs up

You're right: It's WAY over the top, but........I like it!! I don't need to get used to the singer, he sounds fine to me. Like a cross between Blackie Lawless, Dee Snider and the singer from Pretty Maids.

Therion - Thumbs down

Nonono, give me a break!!!!! This I do NOT like. I don't like that kind of operasingers, they don't belong in music, that I want to hear. In fact, I don't like anything about this band. This is terrible!!!

Star one - Thumbs allmost up

This ain't bad, but imo it's not as good as Blind Guardian. They NEED to get a little over the top!!!

[TageRyche]

You should hear the Blind Guardian CDS Nightfall in Middle Earth and the "Live" disc too.

[Jon]

"Nightfall..." is probably my favorite. But, to me, the most over-the-top has to be "Night At The Opera".

[TageRyche]

I have Night At the Opera as well. It's okay but only a couple songs on it I really like.